The following is a video transcript.

Over the years, I’ve seen several gun owners inadvertently commit avoidable carrying mistakes. Let’s look at some of the most common mistakes I see.

Mistake #1: Displaying a Firearm During a Road Rage Incident.

During a road rage event, many Oklahomans will retrieve their gun and place the gun on the car center console or dash. Their hope is that the offending driver will give up the chase and drive off after seeing the displayed firearm.

Unfortunately, the offending driver may increase the violence of the encounter or call the police on you, which can result in felony pointing charges being filed, you getting arrested, and seizure of your gun. Instead of displaying your weapon, you should try to de-escalate the situation. Call the police if you feel you are in imminent danger or pull into a police station if one is nearby.

Mistake #2: Shooting a Trespassing Dog.

The next mistake I see people make involves stray dogs wandering on their property. Shooting a trespassing dog is never a good idea, and can result in you being arrested. The flying bullets can injure bystanders and result in charges of reckless handling of the firearm, discharge of a firearm in city limits, and animal cruelty. Unless the trespassing dog is threatening you or your livestock, use non-lethal force, such as pepper spray, a stun gun, a cattle prod, or other device to scare the dog away.

Mistake #3: Firing a Warning Shot.

The last mistake I see being made is someone firing a warning shot. Firing a warning shot during a “Castle Doctrine” or “Stand Your Ground” event can lead to charges being filed against the shooter. Using deadly force (which a warning shot is classified as) is only permitted to repel an attacker who is using deadly force against you or another. Although a warning shot may scare off an attacker, there’s a chance the attacker will claim to police that the person who fired the warning shot was actually the aggressor. Please refrain from firing a warning shot.

If you have any questions, please call U.S. LawShield and ask to speak to your Independent Program Attorney.